Semipotted plant package



. May 4', 1937. c. E. GARDNER SEMIPOTTED PLANT PACKAGE Filed March 4, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l QAPK [amen/V5 w re 52.919410- J Y worn rnmnmca wn-fla M' m aspirants iu rcii 4,

I The present invention relates toplant packages and consists in the combinations and arrange-.-

ments of elements hereinafter described and particuiarlyset forth in theaccompanying claims. The purpose of the invention is to provide a semi-potted plant package which will insure keeping the plants in fresh, vigorous andgrowing condition while en-route from nursery-to stores,

or other places of distribution and during display,

10 thereby enabling those handling thesame to deliver plants to customers in growing condition thus avoiding the loss incident to spoilage. which is usualiy'caused by drying of the'package con-c v I pact article adapted for convenient handling from tents. H A further purpose of the invention is. tovprovide a package of this type which after reachingtheconsumer will maintaifi its growth for an appreciable period, and thereafter, by removing-portions of the package, the same maybe placed" in the ground without disturbing the rootsfj ust 1 i as though the plant had been originally potted in the first instance. The invention is further characterized in that it provides a watering tube whereby the plant roots may be thoroughly irrigated until such time as the-plants are fully es-. tablished.

The principle and instrumentalities of the invention as herein disclosed are proposed .as an 1 improvement over the types of .plant packages 30 disclosed in my U. S. Letters Patent, Plant package watering device No. 2,033,627, dated March 10, 1936 and Watering tube device for packaged plants" No. 2.039,986,\dated May 5, 1936, I

v illustration the accompanying drawings wherein:- Figure 1 a perspective viewof the semipotted plant package with parts removed for clearness. i

y The invention is shown by way of Figure 2 a centralsectionai view thereof on a 0 slightly larger scale.

Figure 3 a detailed view showing the mannerof 1 putting up or forming the dry collar.

Figure 4 a similar view of the elements used and showing themanner of wrapping the plant 45 with dry collar into the first or inner package.

Figure 5 shows the elements of the outer package disassembled.

Figure 6 a view similar to Figure 1 showing the invention applied to a bulb.

'50 Figure 7 a central sectional view thereof on a slightly larger scale.

Figure 8 a detailed view showing the and irrigating device ready for wrapping.

Figure 9 a similar view showing the'plantpack- 85 age readyfor final wrapping.

dry. collar cultural and other directions printedthereon,

. and

the outer wrapper.

and wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the different figures shown.

of a dry.collar,. an inside package or the 'seml :potted feature, and an outside wrapper all of which together with the growing plant andsustaining root soil constitutes a'unitary and comnursery to time of planting. During .this interval the plant has all needed nourishment. and is ready for placement in the ground simply by removing the outer package and the dry collar.

Figure 1 1 shows the sheet and sealing strip of Referring to the construction in further detail 7 the semi-potted plant package consists essentially a The dry collar is formed or made" up from a body and thence wrapped closely around the plant stemsiafter the manner of a spiral as indicated in Figures 1 and 2.: That is to say, the edges of the paper strip l2 are brought together with the sheet of wax or other moisture proof paper I2- enclosing fibrous material IS in such manner that folds come at the topand bottom of the collar and thereby effectively retain the packing material and keep it from scattering. It also guards against moisture working up into the dry packing from the wet peat or other root sustaining substance. In this the dry collar feature of the invention is deemed-highly important inasmuch as plants will usually rot in crown if the wet packing or'rootsustaining soil is left incontact therewith. Y

The dry collar also provides meansfor inserting a wateringtube M and marker Ila and holding the same in position, such tube and marker being placed in the collar while the same is being wrapped around the crown of the plant or shrub to be packaged. In the process of wrapping the top of the tube is left to project an appreciable 1 distance above the dry collar whereby to receive the irrigating device as more particularly set gush in my two patent applications above identi- The size and diameter of the collar determines more 'or less of the dry packing material l3 and a corresponding sizesh'eet of wax or other moistureprooi paper It according to the dimensions the circumference of the finished package and obviously said collar may vary in size by usingpaper pot or semi-Dotted of the plants that are to be packed. The wax or other moisture'proof paper l2 used in making the collar may appropriately be of various colors to give a. pleasant effect to the finished package as will be understood.

Dormant bulbs and other plants having no top growth when packed are taken care of by means of a short coneor tube of proper size and wrapping the same within the collar so that the top of the bulb or plant may be placed at the lower opening of such cone or tube thereby leaving the top growth free to extend up into this tube or cone which can then be removed or left on as desired. Full details of the means and manner of constructing this feature of the invention are described further herein.

Inside package, or semi-potted feature.In making up this element of the package a sheet of wax or other moisture proof paper i of suitable size is laid on a table or other flat surface and the plant or shrub P to be packed, having already had the collar I 2 with watering tube I 4 wrapped around the crown or stems thereof, is placed on the paper [5 with sumcient damp peat or other root packing material S distributed over, under and around the roots so that when the wax sheet I 5 is rolled therewith the resultant package will be of substantially the same diameter as the dry collar. In this operation the bottom edge of the paper or other sheet i5 is folded up and rolled into the package so that the bottom of the inner package or semi-potted unit will be substantially water-tight after the manner indicated in Figure 2. This rolling and turning over of the lower portion of the inner package also firms the peat or other packing material S about the roots giving it a potted effect insofar as growth of roots and plant is concerned.

After rolling the inside package as above set forth a printed tape I1 is placed thereon in such manner, that its upper edge comes to the crown of the plant or shrub that is packed and when making up the package a stout thread or cord II is so placed thereon as to provide a ripping devicefor severing its upper or plant stem enclosing portion thusfreeing the dry collar for removal before planting as will be, understood. One end of said rip cord I8 is left free for convenient handling as shown. After removal of the coilarthe lower portion of the inside package serves as a pot or container for the plant and as such is set whollywithin the ground without in any way disturbing the roots or top growth. The watering tube extends well into the soil S and so remains after planting and thus the plant may be irrigated until it becomes well established and its roots have grown through the temporary package. 'The length of the inside package is-obviously determined by the over-all dimensions of the plant to be put-up,

and the tape or'strip I1 is for the purpose of having printed therein. cultural or other directions as willbe understood.

Outside wrapper.-This outer container is made of ordinary box-board or other suitable material l9, preferably in attractive colors andvarying in size according to the inside package. It extends appreciably under thebottom end of the inside package l5 so that the finished article will stand upright on any level surface. In making up said outer container package I! is placed on the sheet l9 and rolled therewith into a cylindrical package substantially as, shown. A suitable adhesive paper tape 20 S is spread under,

IS the first or inner' then secures the side edges, though string, rubber bands or other binding devices may be used. Preferably the outer wrapper has printed thereon information appertaining to the nursery or (green house together with appropriate directions, etc.

The finished packages are adapted to be watered through the tubes I4 and are preferably arranged standing upright in suitable packing cases having slotted tops and sides to provide for ample ventilation and light so that the plants, whether dormant or not, will be kept in proper condition and guarded against heating or otherwise subjected to damage in shipping. To this end a watering can with a tag giving full directions as to irrigation would be sent with each shipment instructing clerks or others in charge just as to how and when to water the packages for keeping them fresh and in vigorous growth until sold.

In the construction shownvin Figures 6 to 10 the elements of the package are essentially the same as above set forth except that here special provision is made for winter blooming bulbs,

lilies, etc., which require storing in cool dark' cellars until the roots wound closely around an open ended and appreciably large tube 24 which contacts with the upper or sprouting portion of the bulb B and thereby provides for its '7. In like manner the irrigating tube 25 is wrapped within the material of the dry collar 23 and held in contact with the the bulb to permit irrigation thereof in the manner heretofore described.

In putting up this type of package the material of the dry collar is v the tube 24 and the irrigating tube 25 located towards the outside. The top of a dormant bulb B is then placed against the lower end of said tube when peat or other root packing material and thenthe whole is formed into the inner package after the manner described above for plants, shrubs, etc; which have a top or stem growth. Such bulb packages as are required to be stored are wrapped in plain box-wood wrappers and when top growth has started they are brought into the packing room and clean and printed outside wrappers are put on over the storage wrappers which obviously become more or less soiled due to cellar storage. To protect the tops of bulbs and other tender. top varieties, when shipped, a special outside wrapper of appropriate length and allowing for growth enroute is placed around the package and fastened with gummed tape. This outer wrappr can be of transparent paper or heavy or opaque cardboard or boxboard' depending on the class and growth as indicated in Figure sustaining soil S of first wrapped around around and below the bulb the combination of these elements with the irrigating tube device. It will be understood of course that fabric materials other than paper may be used if desired, and also that the collar and package portions may be made up in ways other than by wrapping and rolling.

It will therefore be seen that the elements or general make-up of my. semi-potted plant package are simple, may be speedily handled, and the finished product costs less than most of the packages that have heretofore been used for putting up nursery and greenhouse products for sale in over-the-counter-trade.

It will be understood the invention as herein disclosed is not limited to the details of construction shown and described, and that these may be varied without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims.

What is claimed as new is:

1. The combination with a plant package of a non-absorbent moisture collar associated therewith comprising a length of flexible tubing containing non-absorbent moisture material adapted to be wound around the stems of the plant above the surface of the root embedding soil, as and for the purpose set forth.

2'. An article of the character described comprising a package wholly enclosing the plant body, said package having a root and soil holding portion, and an integral upper portion extending around the plant stems, a non-moisture absorbent collar located within said upper portion and closely fitting around the plant stems, and a lateral-wise rip cord for readily detaching said integral upper package portion to permit removal of said collar, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. An article of the character described comprising an inner and rolled package wholly enclosing the plant body, a removable and nonmoisture absorbentcollar closely wrapped about the plant stems, and a removable outer package enclosing said inner package and the non-absorbent collar, as and for the purpose set forth.

4. A plant package comprising a rolled root and soil holding portion adapted to be planted in the ground therewith, a detachable portion enclosing the plant stems, a removable and nonmoisture absorbent collar closely wrapped around the plant stems,-a rip cord device for detaching the plant stems enclosing portion to permit removal of said collar before planting the package, and an outer package enclosing the whole adapted to be removed before planting, as and for the purpose set forth.

5. A semi-potted plant package comprising an inner member containing the plant roots with soil and having a portion extending above the plant stems, a dry-collar fitting between said extendedportion and closely fitting around the plant stems, an irrigating tube extending from the plant stems into the root soil, and a rip cord device for detaching the upper portion of the inner member to permit removal of the dry-collar; the remaining portion of the package with plant and irrigating tube adapted to be planted in the ground, as and for the purpose set forth.

6. A semi-potted plant package comprising a member adapted to hold the plant and sustaining soil, and having an upwardly extending portion, an open ended tube contacting with the plant body and providing for plant growth there-' in, and a moisture non-absorbent substance contained within the space between said tube and thestance closely surrounding said tube and providing a collar for the package, and an irrigating tube extending through said collar into the plant sustaining soil, as and for the purpose set forth.

8. A semi-potted plant package comprising an inner member adapted to contain the plant body and sustaining soil therefor, and having an upwardly extending portion; an open ended tube contacting with the plant body and providing for rowth therein, a mass of non-absorbent moisture ntaterial closely wrapped around said tube and providing a dry collar for the package, an irrigating tube wrapped within and held by said collar, and a removable outer package enclosing the whole, as and for the purpose set forth.

'9. A plant package of the character described comprising a growing plant having a root portion and protruding stems of appreciable size, a removable non-moisture absorbent collar wrapped about the plant stems, and a sheet with soil rolled about the plant roots to substantially the diameter of said collar and forming therewith a unitary package of cylindrical shape, said collar adapted to be removed when the package is planted, as and for the purpose set forth.

10. A plant package of the character described comprising a. growing plant having a root portion and protruding-stems of appreciable size, a removable non-moisture absorbent collar wrapped about the plant stems, a sheet with soil rolled about the plant roots to substantially the diameter of said collar and forming therewith a unitary package of cylindrical shape, and an irrigating tube extending through the collar and into the root and soil portion, said collar adapted to be removed when the package is planted, as and for the purpose set forth.

11. A plant package of the character described comprising a growing plant having a root portion and protruding stems of appreciable size, a removable non-moisture absorbent collar wrapped about the plantstems, a sheet with soil rolled about the plant roots to substantially the diameter of said collar and forming therewith an inner package of cylindrical shape, and a container for said inner package, said collar adapted to be removed when the package is planted, as and for the purpose set forth.

12. The method of putting up a rooted and stemmed plant package for transportation and planting which consists in first wrapping about the stems a collar of non-moisture absorbent material to an appreciable diameter, then forming a sustaining package about the plant roots and said collar by rolling the same with a sheet and soil to substantially the diameter of said collar and forming therewith a unitary package of cylindrical shape, said collar adapted to be re moved when the package is planted, as and for the purpose set forth.

. CLARK E. GARDNER. 

